"WELCOME HOME"

In your late teens and off to boot camp
Grew so quickly, became a man.
Trained as a Marine at Camp Pendleton
War broke out, off to Vietnam you went.

In the jungles for a year and a half
DMZ Zone, DaNang, became a tunnel rat.
Unspoken horrors never to share
Keep in your memories, a dream, a nightmare.

Two decades later on Loyalty Day
A hero's welcome and your parade.
Two thousand miles kept us apart
An honor for me as I played your part.

The Vietnam Vets welcomed me on board
As I marched in step and the crowds roared.
Through downtown overwhelmed with pride
Now and then tears filled my eyes.

As we turned on Merrimack Street
to the reviewing stand
Adrenaline flowing,
heart palpitating to the beat of the band.
At that moment,
I felt sure you were there
In the sun's rays,
your smiling face slowly appeared.

Paying respect to the dignitaries at the stand
Vets saluted, to my heart I raised my hand.
Almost two miles where the parade ends
I whisper, "Welcome Home Bob," my brother, my friend.

Author: Lucille
[email protected]©1991

This poem is dedicated to my brother Bob, and to those who served during the Vietnam War Era.